San Francisco along with southern neighbor San Diego, are considered one of the early meccas of Jiu Jitsu in the United States. Some of the most revered legends of the sport call the Bay Area their home and have opened gyms to pass on their learnings. We did the research and compiled this list of the best BJJ schools in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
| Jiu Jitsu School | Number of Instructors | Other Martial Arts Offered | Have Kids Classes? | Has Affiliate Schools? | Has Trial Offer? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALLIANCE Jiu Jitsu SF Bay - SoMa | At least 1 | None | Yes | No | One Free Class |
| Bay Jiu-Jitsu | 8 | Muay Thai, Boxing, MMA | Yes | Yes | Free week |
| Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy | 6 | None | Yes | Yes | NA |
| Colhado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy | 6 | None | Yes | No | NA |
| Empire Jiu Jitsu | 2 | Muay Thai | Yes | No | NA |
| Magalit Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | 3 | None | Yes | No | NA |
| Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu | At least 1 | Muay Thai | Yes | Yes | One Free Class |
| Romulo Melo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | 1 | None | No | No | NA |
| San Francisco Jiu Jitsu Academy (SFBJJ) | 4 | None | No | No | NA |
Alliance Jiu Jitsu San Francisco
Alliance is one of the most well known and successful jiu jitsu academies – currently ranked 2nd in the world by IBJJF. The Alliance in San Francisco stays true to the affiliation’s name by having high quality instructors and top notch training facility located in SoMa a couple blocks from Oracle Park.
The academy is run by 3rd degree blackbelt Lucio Muramatsu. Members have access to over 16 classes per week making it ideal for those with busy schedules. Contracts are also on a month to month basis with a 30 day cancelation window. Alliance San Fran does not have a kids program.
Alliance BJJ San Francisco
- Has Short Term Contracts
- Has Affiliate Schools
- Has Trial Offer
Bay Jiu-Jitsu
Bay Jiu Jitsu is a mixed martial arts school with a primary focus on BJJ with multiple locations throughout the Bay Area. Bay Combat has schools in Pacific Heights, Japantown and Mission giving students access to nearly over 40 classes per week. The school has five blackbelt instructors plus a few colored belt ones to help support all the schools in the San Fran area.
Bay Jiu Jitsu schools offer muay thai, MMA and boxing classes on both the adult and kids level. Pricing is offered in monthly, six month and twelve month increments. Potential members can get their first week free!
Bay Jiu Jitsu
- Offers Other Martial Arts
- Has Short Term Contracts
- Has Kids Classes
- Has Affiliate Schools
- Has Trial Offer
Empire Jiu Jitsu
In the heart of the Mission District you will find the relatively new Empire Jiu Jitsu. Empire BJJ is the new home of jiu jitsu legend Kurt Osiander. Potential members can familiarize themselves with Osiander (when he was teaching at Ralph Gracie) by watching him train with the late-Anthony Bourdain on his San Francisco episode of Parts Unknown.
Empire JJ offers 20 classes per week either taught by Osiander or Jake Scovel. Empire just focuses on jiu jitsu and does not offer other martial arts. Empire offers flexible short term contracts for potential members.
Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu
Pronounced “Halph”, not Ralph, this famous jiu jitsu academy is located in the heart of San Francisco in SoMa. Ralph descends from jiu jitsu royalty being the son of Robson Gracie and brother to Renzo Gracie of Renzo Gracie Academy.
The school’s main focus is on jiu jitsu, but does also offer muay thai classes as well. The San Francisco location does not offer kids classes and only caters to adults. Potential members can get their first class free.
Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu San Francisco
- Offers Other Martial Arts
- Has Affiliate Schools
- Has Trial Offer
Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Charles Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy is one of the few schools located on the western side of the peninsula in the Richmond District. Charles Gracie JJA is quite literally a brother school to Ralph Gracie Academy.
Charles Gracie JJA is possibly one of the most family friendly BJJ schools in the Bay Area – offering kids classes for 3-5 year olds, 6-9 year olds and 10-14 year olds. On the adult side of things, CGJJA offers 3 tiers of jiu jitsu classes for novices up to advanced jiu jiujiteiros.
Colhado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Located in Forest Hill is Colhado BJJ Academy, owned and instructed by 3rd degree blackbelt Matheus Colhado. Colhado is originally from Brazil but moved to the Bay Area and worked with Charles Gracie for over 10 years. His academy now has six blackbelt instructors including himself.
The school chooses to just focus on jiu jitsu and does not offer other martial arts (though it does have Yoga classes). Colhado BJJ offers two types of kids classes, one for those age 4-9 and those 10+. Potential members can get their first week free!
San Francisco Jiu Jitsu Academy (SFBJJ)
Located in the Mission District is San Francisco Jiu Jitsu Academy. The Academy is run by one of the biggest names in the sport Denny Prokopos the first blackbelt promoted by Eddie Bravo in the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu system. SFJJA also lists Caio Terra, one of the most decorated players in the modern game, as their director of Gi classes.
SFJJA offers over 15 classes per week in both gi and nogi. The academy offers one year contracts for $185 for unlimited classes or no contract for $235 per month. SFJJA does not have kids classes or other martial arts.
Romulo Melo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Nested in Nob Hill is Romulo Melo BJJ. The academy was founded by world champion blackbelt Romulo Melo. Melo himself was instructed by the legendary Royler Gracie.
The school focuses exclusively on jiu jitsu and does not offer other martial arts classes. The school only caters to adults, but has a beginners and advance classes.
Magalit Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
In Outer Mission is Magalit Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The school was founded by Travis Magalit who has both a traditional and 10th Planet background in jiu jitsu. The school has a total of 3 blackbelt instructors.
Magalit offers 20 adult jiu jitsu classes per week in both gi and nogi. They also offer an additional 10 kids classes per week, 5 really young kids and 5 for slightly older children. Maglit chooses to focus just on BJJ and does not offer other martial arts.
